Urology Residency Program

About Us

The Cleveland Clinic Akron General Urology Residency Program is a five-year program with three major teaching institutions including Cleveland Clinic Akron General, Summa Health and Akron Children's Hospital. It is approved by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education. Two positions are offered annually to candidates through the AUA Match.

The first year of our residency program includes six months of rotations in general surgery and six months of general urology. The next four years are focused on developing surgical skills, urologic knowledge and autonomy. Year two builds endoscopic knowledge and skills with minor urologic cases. Year three focuses on more complex endoscopic cases and laparoscopic skills. Year four provides the opportunity to explore urologic subspecialties including pediatric urology (six months), FPMRS, Infertility/Andrology and Reconstruction. In year four, there is also a focus on robotic surgery both in Akron and in a satellite private practice setting. Year five, chief year, concentrates on major urologic cases, robotic surgery and areas of special interest. For all levels, there is an outpatient clinic experience is provided weekly in a private practice setting.

Protected academic time is every Wednesday from 7 a.m. until noon, and includes weekly conferences, urology grand rounds, imaging conference and core curriculum. All residents attend monthly journal clubs. Other meetings included in the urology educational program are monthly M&M conferences and multi-disciplinary pediatric conferences with radiology and nephrology.

Active clinical research is encouraged. Financial support is provided to attend national, regional and local conferences. Completion of the program provides eligibility to sit for the American Board of Urology Qualifying Examination.

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Welcome

Thank you for your interest in the Cleveland Clinic Akron General Urology Residency Program. Our mission is clear – provide comprehensive, high-quality education in order to train residents to become skilled urologists who can provide exceptional patient care, contribute to the advancement of the field through research and innovation, and serve as leaders in their communities. You will graduate fully competent to start practice the next day or to enter a fellowship. Roughly, 50 percent of our residents move on to fellowship.

We have two adult hospitals, Cleveland Clinic Akron General and Summa Health System, as well as Akron Children’s Hospital. All are dedicated to state-of-the-art care and medical education. An added benefit is that they are less than 10 minutes apart!

We have 20 adult faculty with all urologic subspecialties represented and 4 pediatric faculty committed to your education. The program focuses on providing residents with a strong foundation in urological principles and techniques through a combination of didactic education, hands-on clinical experience, and research opportunities. The program also emphasizes the importance of professionalism, communication, and teamwork in the delivery of patient care.

I truly feel that we have the best of all worlds – outstanding faculty with surgical and clinical volumes that will provide you with the competency to practice anywhere in the country. As a part of the Cleveland Clinic Health System, it provides residents with access to a large network of experienced physicians, cutting-edge technology, and diverse patient populations. All of this in a community that is easy to live in with no traffic problems, low cost of living and an environment that is supportive and friendly.

Thank you for considering Cleveland Clinic Akron General. If you have any questions about the program, please contact Kimberly Sloan Stakleff, PhD, in the Department of Urology at 330.344.8286.

Sincerely,

Kimberly Sloan Stakleff, PhD
Program Coordinator
Cleveland Clinic Akron General Urology Residency Program
330.344.8286
ccagurology@ccf.org

Neel V. Parekh, MD
Program Director
Cleveland Clinic Akron General Urology Residency Program

Clinical Rotations

PGY – 1 

• 6 months of General Surgery at Cleveland Clinic Akron General and Summa Health includes:
• 1 month of Vascular Surgery.
• 1 month of Laparoscopic Surgery.
• 1 month of General Surgery Night Float.
• 1 month of Emergency General Surgery.
• 2 months of SICU.
• 6 months of General Urology at Cleveland Clinic Akron General and Summa Health.

PGY – 2

• 1/2 month of Nephrology.
• 1 month of Pediatric Urology at Akron Children's Hospital.
• 10-1/2 months of General Urology at Cleveland Clinic Akron General and Summa Health.

PGY – 3

• 12 months of General Urology at Cleveland Clinic Akron General and Summa Health.

PGY – 4

• 6 months (3-month blocks) of Pediatric Urology at Akron Children's Hospital.
• 1 month Female Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgery.
• 1 month Andrology and Infertility.
• 4 months Robotics and major cases at Akron General, Summa and a satellite facility.

PGY – 5

• 12 months (3-month blocks) of Chief Resident (with administrative responsibilities) at Cleveland Clinic Akron General and Summa Health.

Teaching Faculty

• Naveen Arora, MD.
• Dennis Bentley, MD.
• Hannah Bachtel, MD.
• Elizabeth Boes, DO.
• Todd F. Breaux, MD.
• Brian Canterbury, MD.
• Curtis Clark, MD.
• Joseph Dankoff, MD.
• Michael Gangel, MD, MBA.
• Lawrence Geller, MD.
• Douglas Green, MD.
• Fabrice Henry, MD.
• Melinda Knight, MD.
• Eric Massanyi, MD.
• Daniel McMahon, MD.
• Joshua Nething, MD.
• Neel Parekh, MD.
• Daniel Ricchiuti, MD.
• Kevin Spear, MD.
• John D. Wegryn, MD.
• Hadley Wood, MD.

Application

Application requirements

We appreciate your interest in the Cleveland Clinic Akron General Urology Residency program and hope that we've provided you with the information you need to choose the right residency program. Akron General is able to offer an exceptional medical education experience because of our knowledgeable and hard-working staff. Cleveland Clinic Akron General is recognized regionally and within Ohio for its expertise and care. We maintain a standard of excellence that promises nothing but the best care for our patients and therefore, nothing but the best education for our medical students and residents.

• All urology applicants must apply for the AUA match program. Residency applications must be submitted through the Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS). 
• 2023 Application Deadline: September 27.
• 2023 Interview Dates: November 7, 9, 15 and 17.
• Expected Program Length: Five Years.

Interested in rotating? 

Akron General Medical Center uses VSAS, the Visiting Student Application Service to process visiting student applications.

To apply for a urology rotation, please complete and send a VSAS application with your preferred dates to:
 
Department of Medical Education
Cleveland Clinic Akron General
1 Akron General Ave.
Akron, OH 44307

Current Residents

PGY – 1

Giovanna Leon, MD

• Hometown: Canton, OH.
• Undergraduate: Youngstown State University, Youngstown, OH.
• Medical: NEOMED, Rootstown, OH.
• Hobbies/Interests: Keeping up with Italian roots by making fresh pasta, playing golf, singing and playing guitar.

John Whitaker, MD

• Hometown: Tupelo, MS.
• Undergraduate: Mississippi College, Clinton, MS.
• Graduate: University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS.
• Medical School: University of Mississippi School of Medicine, Jackson, MS.
• Preliminary General Surgery: Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist, Jackson, MS.
• Hobbies/Interests: Running, hiking, kayaking, camping, baking, traveling and playing keyboard for my church.

PGY – 2

 

Olivia Green, MD

• Hometown: Hudson, OH.
• Undergraduate: The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH.
• Medical: NEOMED, Rootstown, OH.
• Hobbies/Interests: Crocheting, cross-stitching, scrapbooking, cricut and design, mixed media are, jewelry making, competitive body building, weightlifting, running (5K, half marathon), nutrition, pickleball, skiing, traveling (19 countries and counting).

 

Collen Sholtes, MD

• Hometown: Louisville, KY.
• Undergraduate: Belmont Abbey College, Belmont, NC.
• Medical School: University of Louisville, Louisville, KY.
• Hobbies/Interests: Golf, boating at Lake Cumberland, wake boarding, indoor cycling, visiting coffee shops, bourbon tasting, baking and spending time with friends and family.

PGY – 3

 

Jamsheed Bahee, MD

• Hometown: Mount Pleasant, Michigan.
• Undergraduate: Central Michigan University, Mount Pleasant, MI.
• Medical: Central Michigan University, Mount Pleasant, MI.
• Hobbies/Interests: Competing in sports (soccer, golf, basketball), running, and hiking, listening to hip-hop and playing the Tombak (Persian instrument), attempting to cook (especially difficult Persian dishes).

Benjamin Petrinec, MD

• Hometown: Hudson, Ohio.
• Undergraduate: University of Akron, Akron, OH.
• Medical School: NEOMED, Rootstown, OH.
• Hobbies/Interests: Traveling domestically (my family frequents Hilton Head Island, South Carolina) and internationally, running (treadmill and trails), watching professional soccer, football and tennis (British Premier League is my favorite).

PGY – 4

Emily Losinski, MD

• Hometown: Alpena, Michigan.
• Undergraduate: University of Michigan.
• Medical School: Central Michigan University.
• Interests/Hobbies: Traveling, camping, hiking, skiing, spending time on the water and learning how to become a runner.

Andrew Turk, MD

• Hometown: Broadview Heights, Ohio.
• Undergraduate: The University of Akron, Akron, Ohio.
• Medical School: Northeast Ohio Medical University, Rootstown, Ohio.
• Interests/Hobbies: Rowing, cycling, playing basketball, skiing, running, hiking mountains and traveling.

PGY – 5

Joseph Spencer Keith, MD

• Hometown: Little Rock, Arkansas.
• Undergraduate: Kent State University, Kent, Ohio.
• Graduate: Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio.
• Medical School: University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, Arkansas.
• Interests/Hobbies: Watching and playing sports (golf, football, basketball, tennis, volleyball), spending time with family, lifting weights and running, watching movies and TV shows, cookouts, and traveling.

Max Roehmholdt, MD

• Hometown: Williamsville, New York.
• Undergraduate: Union College, Schenectady, New York.
• Graduate: Clarkson University (Capital Region Campus), Schenectady, New York.
• Medical School: Albany Medical School, Albany, New York.
• Interests/Hobbies: Skiing, sailing, tennis, soccer, fishing, hunting, camping, Bills Mafia and proficient in German language.

Alumni

2023 graduates

• Carter Mikesell, MD —Advanced Urological Robotic and Laparoscopic Fellowship at Cleveland Clinic Main Campus, Cleveland, OH.
• Ethan Vargo, DO — Laparoscopic/Robotic Surgery and Endourology Fellowship at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, MO.

2022 graduates

• Fabrice Henry, MD — Stone Disease & Advanced Endourology Fellowship at Cleveland Clinic Main Campus, Cleveland, OH.
• Aaron Yunker, MD — Lexington Medical Center, Columbia, SC.

2021 graduates

• Hannah Agard, MD — Pediatrics Fellowship at Baylor College, Houston, TX.
• Marwan Ali, MD — Andrology Fellowship at University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA.

2020 graduates

• David Drevna, MD — NEO Urology, Youngstown, OH.
• Daniel Kmetz, MD — First Urology, Louisville, KY.

2019 graduates

• Daniel Groves, MD — Capital Urological Associates, Okemos, MI.

Research & Innovation

Akron General offers surgical services for a wide range of needs, both inpatient and outpatient. Through research, advances in technology and improvement in techniques allow our surgeons to offer more types of treatments with increasing precision, less blood loss, less pain and a shorter recovery time.

For more information about resident research in Urology, please contact:

Neel Parekh, MD 
Urology Residency Program Director
330.344.8286

Estee George, PhD
Research Faculty
330.344.7681
GeorgeE4@ccf.org

• View selected Urology Publications